Propane tanks?

[rodm1]

I'm in need of a LP tank everyone local only sells refurbished tanks in either 120gl $350 or 500gl $750. The prices include psi gauge and delivery.

What should I be looking for in a refurbished tank or better what to avoid? I will be purchasing from a LP company and it sounds like they are completely rebuilt and painted.

I would like to have a wet valve setup for filling an LP tractor (future use). Will ALL 500gl tanks have the proper bung to withdrew liquid lp? The gas company here told me it's against the law to do this sow they wouldn't comment any farther.

looking at the rebuilders web sights they talk about 250psi tanks. I take it they aren’t all 250psi is that a big issue? Lastly what is everyone paying per gallon?


Things to check:
Good data plate
250psi tanks
 

[CenTex Farmall]

You want a tank with a liquid withdrawal line or "wet leg". I have seen 500 gal tanks with no wet leg, so no.

There's not much to go wrong with one as long as it's not been open to the weather. A "rebuilt" one should have a new relief valve and hand valves and the gauge should be checked.

Not sure on the legalities. I've heard companies say things like that before so they can discourage you and avoid any liability. If it's _your_ tank and _your_ propane in the tank I don't see how it could be illegal for you to use it!

Now it may be illegal for you to fill a smaller tank and then transport it over the highway, and the knucklehead at the counter may be interpreting the law to mean you can't fill anything. I wouldn't worry about it.

The 250 psi is a nominal test rating for propane tanks. How much liquid you can put in depends on the ambient temperature. Typically they will fill to 85% and the tank will be fine even on a 100 degree day.
 

[da.bees]

What Centex Farmer says pretty much sums it up.
As he indicated,what the dealers say vary so call around. If that fails to turn up a willing dealer,I have another suggestion but first a story told by Red Skelton and kept in my pocket for situations like yours.
A fellow jumped from the plane on his first ever sky diving experience and realized he had been distracted by the leggs of a gal in the sky diving instruction class and missed the part on how to open the chute. As he was falling to the earth he noticed a man coming skyward from earth.
As they passed,he shouted"hey,do you know anything about parachutes"? "NO",came the reply,"do you know anything about colman lanterns"?
Now,you can order the wet tube and valve online. Just make certain the tank has a blank bung as you called it and double certain you or whoever installs it 100% understands what they are doing before you start.
 

[504]

Put the wet kit on before you fill the tank, hard to install one when the LP is trying to escape:) On the illegal to fill part,OSHA requires permits and training. You are filling your own and don t care what the Government says, so go for it. And before someone says they fill at work and they are fine, OSHA has been making the rounds in North MO and my work load is getting bigger every week because people have been told what they need to be legal,so I am hauling more tow motor tanks.
 

[Stick welding]

Make sure a used tank is certified/hydrotested and
not a tank that was taken out of service because it
had a problem.
 

[showcrop]

All you need to know is the latest hydro date stamped on the tank, and how long it is good for for that particular kind of tank.
 

[Stick welding]

You could have a tank only a week old that was damaged and shouldn't be used. They don't erase hydrotest dates but do take tanks out of service because there is something wrong with them.
 

[massey 333]

They all have liquid withdraw,but some of the older tanks have it on the bottom of the tank.Works fine,but not convenient to use.
 

[Indiana Ken]

I have a 500 gallon tank that I paid $1250 for about five years ago. When I first asked the dealer about it the lady led me to believe it was new, then she mentioned it was like new when I signed the papers. Actually, they tested the tank, installed new fittings and repainted it. It did look nice however after they installed it I looked at the name plate and the tank was made in 1968. I was not too happy about it being so old however I don't think it really makes any difference.

Two years ago I had them install a liquid draw off hose for my propane tractor. The valve installs in a bung on the top of the tank. The bung/valve is (at least on my tank) a "hot tap" which allows installation on a filled tank. Some dealers may not want to do it or carry the insurance so ask around if you get turned down. Also, I would indicate you want it for the tractor and don't brag about filling BBQ tanks for your buddies.

This fall I paid $1.15 per gallon. I have some portable tanks I use for finishing maple syrup etc. so it was well worth the $150 I paid for the hose installation. You will need an adaptor for the portable tanks which are pretty costly - I paid $30 for a used one.

If you are filling portable tanks you will want to weight them until you learn how to use the liquid level (spitter) valve. Also, always wear rubber gloves when working with propane - if liquid propane gets on your skin it will become frozen. Good luck
 

[Frank A]

The main thing is that it has a good data plate. I believe anything after 1956 has a liquid withdrawal valve. Some of the older tanks the liquid comes out of the fill valve. If you buy a used tank if may be a good idea to make sure the (check lock valve) or bung as you call it is new. I have seen alot of tanks that the excess flow valve wouldn't open. I think the newer tanks with a screw in percent guage is less likely to leak than the kind with the four bolts. There are some 200 psi rated tanks around they are still ok to use around here but wouldn't be my first choice.

good luck

Frank
 

[Owen Aaland]

250 psi is what you will normally see for storage tanks. For use as a motor fuel tank you will also see 315 psi tanks. The pressure stated is the pressure setting of the relief valve. Tanks are to be tested at four time the rated pressure so a 250 psi tank must pass the hydrostatic test at 1000 psi.
 

[Dean Olson]

Our dealers rent tanks for about $8 per month. Catch is no other
dealer will fill the competitors rented tanks. You are in effect held
hostage to whatever price dealer wants to charge.

Dealer I chose was poor about keeping my tank filled. I was
supposed to be on a regular route so I never run out. I ran out on
a Friday evening after closing.

Couldn't get ahold of my dealer so called another guy and ended up
buying a new tank. This was in 2000 and I spent about $800. I
now keep track of my own propane level and shop around for best
price.